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Grammy-nominated musician Neko Case will give away her beloved classic 1967 Mercury Cougar to one lucky drawing winner to benefit 826 National. The burgundy-colored Cougar is featured on Case's Grammy-nominated album cover Middle Cyclone. Commencing on Monday, February 14 and closing to the lucky drawing winner on Friday, February 18, 2011 the Mercury Cougar-Rama Muscle Car-'Splosion will feature the muscle car filled with road trip goodies--Rand McNally guides, gift certificates to Chipotle, a year's supply of Tazo Tea and much, much more. Beginning on Monday the 14th, 826 National will draw a prize a day for five other lucky winners including: the ANTI- catalog of records, a 60-disc Matador Records sampler, Poketo's Road Trip prize pack, a drum head signed by The New Pornographers, Neko's limited-edition 1966 Gretsch Silver Duke guitar, a Gibson guitar signed by members of the Speaking Clock Revue including Elton John, Elvis Costello, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Leoon Russell, and T Bone Burnett, an Adidas prize pack, Dinner for 10 from Chipotle, a Carr Amplifier and much more. The winner of the car will be drawn on Friday, February 18th.

Limited edition, custom Poketo T-shirts designed by Case are being sold in conjunction with the online event in 826 chapter storefronts across the country and online at www.826national.org/store.

This drawing seeks to raise both money and awareness for the 826 National writing centers, co-founded by award-winning educator NÃ­nive Calegari and award-winning author Dave Eggers. 826 National centers are located in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Ann Arbor, Boston, and Washington, DC. Last year, 826 chapters served over 24,000 students and produced 800 student-authored publications, with all programs free of charge for students, classes, and schools.

According to educator and co-founder of 826 National NÃ­nive Calegari, "This drawing will allow us to mobilize even more volunteers, providing much-needed undivided attention to students all across the country. Thank you to Neko Case and her team for this inspired idea and extremely generous donation."

Proceeds from the sale of the car and the T-shirts will support the student programming at each 826 chapter. All details for the drawing can be found at: www.nekocase.com/auction.

About the car:
Introduced in 1967 and named that year's Motortrend Car of the Year, this burgundy Mercury Cougar came standard with a hardtop 289 V8 and serious muscle. It's got an automatic transmission, 3-speed "Merc-o-matic," red interior with aqua space lights, wood steering wheel, hideaway headlights, sequential tail lights, and a fully wired car stereo. Only sold in two-door. Neko named this car "Angie Dickinson," and it's only had two owners and has its original paint. There is enough room in the back of the car to move a small apartment, house your lending library, or to fit your band's gear (or your kid's band's gear!). The beloved photo of Neko standing on the Cougar on the Middle Cyclone album cover has been nominated for the 2009 "Best Recording Package" Grammy.

About 826 National:
826 National is a family of eight nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping students, ages 6-18, with expository and creative writing.

Our mission is based on the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.

Each chapter offers after-school tutoring, field trips, workshops, and in-schools programs -- all free of charge -- for children, classes, and schools with particular interests or particular needs.

About Neko Case:
Neko Case's latest release Middle Cyclone debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and has sold over 200,000 albums worldwide. The album was nominated for two Grammy awards: "Best Contemporary Folk Album," and "Best Recording Package." Paste Magazine named Middle Cyclone the "Album Cover of the Decade," and Amazon.com listed it as #1 in the "Top 100 Amazon Picks." Case is also a member of the mostly-Canadian band the New Pornographers and recently toured North America accompanying Jakob Dylan in the band Three Legs.

According to Neko:

826 gives young folks the opportunity to see their own works PUBLISHED, tangible and important. I want all young people to see the path illuminate before them as their self worth grows. 826 is a positive AND challenging place for young minds from ALL different backgrounds. 826 also strives to raise the profile of teachers in America, and celebrate them as the superstars they are! I am so proud to be a part of this event, and I hope to do 826 proud with this drawing.

About Poketo:
Poketo was founded by husband-and-wife team Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung, and collaborates with an international roster of artists to create limited edition lifestyle wares including apparel, accessories, stationery, and home decor. Poketo's efforts to integrate art into everyday begins with accessible art and extends to events that bring like-minded creatives together. Poketo.com houses the entire collection and artist roster, and offers a place for people to connect with the creative community.